IFA changes Calcutta Premier Division format

The AIFF restriction on players of I-League clubs only allowing them to play 40 matches a season has made its first impact on a local league. The Indian Football Association (West Bengal) has decided to change the format of its top tier Calcutta Premier Division.

The league will continue to feature 17 teams, but the three I-league sides - East Bengal Club, Mohun Bagan AC, United SC - will only feature in the final round. The other 14 teams will be split into two groups of seven teams each with four teams each making into the championship round, while the bottom three of each group will play a relegation round to avoid the drop with only one team going down.

This means that the championship round will feature 11 teams playing each other once in a round robin format, meaning that clubs will play 10 matches each. This has been done to reduce the number of matches for I-League sides from 16 to 10 keeping in mind the new 40 matches per season rule.

The new Calcutta Premier Division season will kick-off on August 19 with matches to be played in and around Kolkata.